Tracy Brainard Busted

[pezz97]

Rulings
Wednesday May 15, 2013
Licensee: TRACY L. BRAINARD
Licensed As: OWNER-TRAINER
Notice Number: VD 4-2013
Racing Type: Harness
Track: Vernon Downs
Notice Date: 05/15/2013
Ruling Type: Fine & Suspension
Rule(s): 4120.4, 4120.5, 4120.13 (a) (e)
Ruling Text:
As trainer of record of horse Scorpion Moon, which raced on 4/26/2013 in the 6th race, you are responsible for the fact that your horse's pre race blood sample tested high for TCO2 level (exceeded 39 millimoles per liter for lasix horse). This violation has resulted in the horse being disqualified, purse money has been forfeited and redistributed and pre-race detention has been imposed. The horse is also ineligible to race until it tests in compliance with this rule and tests negative for drugs. Ordered, that during the period of suspension, you shall not directly or indirectly participate in New York State pari-mutuel horse racing, you shall be denied the privileges and use of the grounds of New York State racetracks, and you shall be forbidden to participate in any share of purses. In addition, every horse shall be denied the privileges of the grounds and shall not participate in pari-mutuel racing (1) that is owned or trained by you during your period of suspension, (2) that is owned or trained by any individual who continues to serve as your agent or employee during your period of suspension, or (3) for which you directly or indirectly make or execute, during your period of suspension, any arrangement with an owner or other person to care for, train, enter in a race, invoice, collect fees or other payments related to, employ workers for, or otherwise handle.
Suspended: 06/22/2013 to 08/20/2013 (60 days)
Fined: $1000

[NIATROSS]

hmmmmm ? i thought she was a hay oats and water type.

 

[Headpole Dave]

I know shes the bosses friend, but I don't think too many are surprised. All the Bulletproof money that went into drugs was going somewhere.

[LVGaryD]

This is certainly no excuse, but baking soda is hardly a drug. All of us used it when I trained horses. We fed it to them, put it in their water...of course some people tubed them with it even back then. I was not one of the tubers, but to me it is not a big deal.

I sort of doubt that Tracy had any knowledge of this situation, but she will have to take her medicine.

[careless hal]

This is certainly no excuse, but baking soda is hardly a drug. All of us used it when I trained horses. We fed it to them, put it in their water...of course some people tubed them with it even back then. I was not one of the tubers, but to me it is not a big deal.

I sort of doubt that Tracy had any knowledge of this situation, but she will have to take her medicine.

Would it do me any good to start taking baking soda?

[LVGaryD]

I take it myself.

[Jeremy]

Would it do me any good to start taking baking soda?

I take it myself.

Looks like no.

[NIATROSS]

yes that arm and hammer doea great job in my fridge soaking up any odors.
i understand how it can be a big help to racehorses 

[LVGaryD]

The simple explanation of what baking soda does: neutralizes lactic acid. Lactic acid causes muscles to tie up or cramp, making the horse stop badly the last quarter.

Baking soda does not enhance a horse's speed per se, it allows the horse to not cramp or tie up, which allows it to go faster.

[NIATROSS]

The simple explanation of what baking soda does: neutralizes lactic acid. Lactic acid causes muscles to tie up or cramp, making the horse stop badly the last quarter.

Baking soda does not enhance a horse's speed per se, it allows the horse to not cramp or tie up, which allows it to go faster.

and you sort of doubt tracy had any knowledge of the situation ? really ?
she is barred from the meds and you doubt she had any knowledge of the high tco2 count ?
do you think it was hay oats and water that put a new mark on that horse at 11 yos ?

[LiveCover]

From the London Times

“Most exercise scientists investigating the trend for ‘soda-doping’ among athletes and gym-goers have shown that it offers significant benefits for endurance and speed,” Bee said. “At Loughborough University, for instance, physiologists reporting in the June issue of the International Journal of Sports Medicine showed that swimmers who took baking soda about one hour before a 200 meter event were able to shave a significant time off their usual performances.”

Further along in the article, Bee wrote: “Current research suggests that it is particularly helpful in speed-based events, including sprints, football and other fast-moving games, and middle-distance (up to 10 kilometers) running, swimming and cycling.”

Dr. Jonathan Folland, who led the study, said swimmers who took sodium bicarbonate knocked 1.5 seconds off their time for 200 meters, a difference that may seem insignificant to recreational swimmers but which is substantial at the elite level. “The increments of improvement are relatively small to the average person, although significant to someone who competes,” Folland said in the article. “I certainly wouldn’t advocate using it if you do aerobics a few times a week.”

The fact is in horse racing, especially at the elite level, endurance is everything.  If you want to administer sodium bicarbonate after the race to help the horse recover more quickly I don't see a problem with that.  To do so before the race is an attempt to gain a competitive advantage illegally.  It is in the rules, abide by them or pay the piper.  Saying she didn't know about it is a convenient excuse similar to all the baseball players whose memories become foggy after a positive.

[powerful stuff]

The simple explanation of what baking soda does: neutralizes lactic acid. Lactic acid causes muscles to tie up or cramp, making the horse stop badly the last quarter.

Baking soda does not enhance a horse's speed per se, it allows the horse to not cramp or tie up, which allows it to go faster.

The crux of all the problems with racing, and most other things is exactly this. We can justify anything. Cheating is OK because everybody else is doing it...the rules are unfair, so I'll do what I want, I need the money to keep paying my bills...

Where does it end?

[careless hal]

Where does it end?


When every track goes the way of Thunder Ridge.
RIP

[badolpuddytat]

This is certainly no excuse, but baking soda is hardly a drug. All of us used it when I trained horses. We fed it to them, put it in their water...of course some people tubed them with it even back then. I was not one of the tubers, but to me it is not a big deal.

I sort of doubt that Tracy had any knowledge of this situation, but she will have to take her medicine.

No big deal EHHH? does the name Mitch Sahaley mean anything to you? He used to claim horses from pretty good trainers and then BOOM!!! must of changed shoes because ALL of his horses could stay parked the mile AND STILL WIN!! Saw his father in law tube one  one day. He was in the next barn.

[LVGaryD]

His father in law bought one from me and she didn't even make the $1000 back he paid for her.